2021 Macauley Stagecoach Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

DEC96 This is from a block of Stagecoach vineyard grapes planted to clone 685, aged in Taransaud, Daranjou, and Sylvain oak for 22 months, racked twice. The clone brings loads of colour and texture as the berries are small and concentrated, bringing loads of fragrant dark berry aromatics matched by super compact, velvety tannins that have a real intensity to them. The wine is bright and fresh, lifted and fragrant with herbal sagebrush notes and finishes with exceptional length, revealing crushed stone minerality. Owner Macauley (Mac) Watson worked at Rudd Estate for a few years before venturing out on his own in the early 2000s. He owns no vineyards but has long-term contracts with 14-16 different vineyards, among the absolute best in Napa. Total production is never more than 2,600 cases. The winemaker is Kirk Venge.